Bewildered by the bevy of trail shoes available for your autumn running regimen? Never fear, IMPACT’s experts have given the latest crop of shoes a test run on your behalf. Time to lace up and fall into line!

Illustration by Jordan Drougge

Adidas AdiSTAR Raven $160
The AdiSTAR Raven is a super comfortable shoe that I felt confident enough to wear on a 2½-hour run on the trails after two 30-minute outings. The upper fits like a glove, equally well around the heel and with a toebox that is spacious. The toebox provides extra protection with a flexible rubber cover. The upper is sturdy and protective with a layer of ballistic nylon to prevent abrasions and tears. The lip is cushioned, comfy and is works as a guard against dirt getting into your shoe. The sole is cushioned and provides ample protection from sharp rocks, yet feels low to the ground. It’s light, weighing just under 350 grams. The traction is good, with dozens of lugs made of sticky rubber and adiWear rubber. A superb shoe for people who like a cushioned ride.

— Margreet Dietz

Asics Gel Trail Attack 6 $140
The Asics Gel trail attack 6 is exactly that, a light agile trail rocket designed to spit out trail with the greatest of ease. The underfoot panel is designed to minimize weight while maintaining stability under-rides the familiar gel forefoot and heel pads that guarantee “safe trailing.” That typical Asics gel technology in both the heel and forefoot of the Trail Attack means whether you are heel pounding your way down a steep slope or toeing your way up a rock face you are running protected from sharp, solid or stony protrusions. This is a killer light shoe that wears like a road racer so if you are looking for a big chunky supportive shoe to make you feel safe look elsewhere. If you are ready to light it up and leave the trail smouldering behind you, then lace up these puppies.

— Pete Estabrooks

Brooks Cascadia 5 $150
While this shoe looked like a trail hiker right out of the box, it had a surprisingly lightweight and comfortable fit and a great low profile. I enjoyed the responsive feel of this shoe: not overly cushioned but with a good feeling of protection over roots and stones. It has a compact rear outsole, which I favour because I don’t like to feel that I might catch my foot on the obstacles in the trails. The only downside to this shoe was a stiff toe box and lack of forefoot flexion, which seemed to put extra pressure on my calves as I ran. While fit is my priority in shoes, my hat goes off to Brooks for its environmental initiatives in this shoe, covering everything from manufacturing and transportation to its recycled shoe boxes and “BioMoGo” — their innovative technology that allows the midsoles to biodegrade 50 times faster in the landfill than normal EVA midsoles.

— Lucy Smith

Columbia S11 Ravenous Stability $120
The cushioning in Columbia’s S11 trail runner feels a little like jumping on your couch. It seems designed to handle high mileage on roads or on more groomed trails. You may want to avoid extreme rocky or loose terrain as there is less forefoot support in the upper meshing and slight heel slip. The laces do not pull the mesh tightly around the forefoot. From look to feel, the S11 is a conventional runner to allow you the kilometres needed without worry of breakdown. Although the shoe doesn’t seem designed for high-end racing, it is a sturdy trainer that is surprisingly light. For building your base, this is the shoe.

— Graham Cocksedge

La Sportiva Raptor $110
The La Sportiva Raptor is a super-comfortable shoe that feels like a racing flat, ultra-light and low to the ground. Yet it is the same weight as the Adistar Raven, just under 350 grams and provides great cushioning, especially for the heel. I absolutely love the feel of the sole, which allows for a great ride. The traction of this shoe is superb and super-sticky (though I didn’t encounter wet conditions during the test). The fit around the midfoot and the design of the upper is so good I could run without laces. The flexible TPU lacing harness is sound. An extra guard that runs underneath the laces and over the comfortable lip prevents dirt from getting in the shoes. The rubber toebox provides great protection for your toes and the heel is stable. My feet feel solid in these shoes, with a water-resistant panel on the lower part of the upper. A shoe I love.

— Margreet Dietz

New Balance 910OR  $140
The New Balance 910 has the feel of a regular trainer but is rugged enough for comfort on uneven terrain. It is definitely not a beefy trail shoe with its lower midsole profile, but with the NB ‘rockstop’ in the forefoot, I found it protective and agile on the rocks and roots. As with New Balance technical shoes, it comes with the SureLace system, the bubble laces that hold tight where you want it on your instep. The roomy toe box has a plastic cap for durability and protection and the upper has enough support to hug the foot and not feel sloppy on the rocks. This shoe has good forefoot flexibility, but the ride might be too firm for runners used to a more cushioned feel.

— Lucy Smith

Mizuno Wave Cabrakan 2  $170
Before heading out over rough terrain, a runner must have complete confidence in the stability and support of the shoes racing beneath him. The Wave Cabrakan 2 (WC2) claims to minimize the rapid acceleration and deceleration of the foot using SmoothRide Engineering. The WC2 lends itself to a firm, anti-ankle-rolling platform. The shoe is rugged enough to run many miles and the tread has a half-dozen moulded cross-country spikes. This shoe seems more for training or running long distances rather than racing. It gives the feel of a solid road-running shoe in cushion and comfort. Runners with narrow feet might want to try a half size down from their regular fit as this shoe seems to fit a little big in the forefoot. Once the sizing matches, the rest is pleasure on the trails.

— Graham Cocksedge

Montrail Rockridge $120
Able to stick to slick trails, bound over sharp roots and grind up steep rock faces the Montrail delivers a solid trail shoe capable of heroic effort. This shoe displays great lateral flexibility and a solid footbed meaning neither speed nor stride is compromised when heading over trails with excessively unstable and gritty surfaces. That solid footbed is not one without cushion, sharper rocks and roots all glide by underfoot virtually unnoticed. The well-constructed lightweight and reinforced upper allows the Montrail to ride easy and dry quickly. Full-on stream crossings were a scant memory, dry 15 minutes post immersion. My only warning is they are a wee bit wide in the heel, which means tie ’em tight and double knot the laces if you don’t want to leave a shoe behind if you are trailing through the occasional mud pit.

— Pete Estabrooks

Merrell CTR Cruise $150, Goretex $200
The CTR Cruise was a nice surprise. What I thought might be a clunky runner ended up being a solid performer on the trails. The CTR Cruise felt good right out of the box and didn’t require a break-in period. The well padded interior gave a soft, yet snug fit with no heel slipping or pressure points. With enough width through the footbed, the CTR Cruise could easily accommodate orthotics. Runners who enjoy cushion on the trail will love the heel in the midsole. The upper did an excellent job of water resistance and protecting sand, pebbles and dirt from entering the shoe. The outsole provided reliable traction on moderately rugged terrain without being overly rigid. The CTR Cruise is certainly a viable option for runners looking for a versatile and comfortable trainer to use in varied trail conditions.

— Syl Corbett

PUMA Complete Trail Fox III $140
A shoe that fits like a sock made with Gore-Tex and great sealing. This shoe slides on my foot like a sock. I found the fit a little narrow for my wider feet but it was secure on important areas of the foot. The shoe has a super sticky and effective tread that is perfect for runners who like heading out in morning dew or rain. The fit prevents any debris from entering your shoe and the Gore-Tex keeps the water out. This shoe would be perfect for those who participate in run/hike expeditions. All of the materials and technology put into this shoe screams hard-core wet running with the ability to dry quickly. Great stability and good comfort for those with narrow to normal width feet.

— Calvin Zaryski

Saucony ProGrid XODUS 2.0 $150
This shoe comes with a lot of attitude, which I like in a women’s shoe: it looks snappy in black with hot pink accents and the slogan “runanywhere” on the tongue. This is a serious all-terrain shoe, with a rugged outsole made of long-wearing Vibram (but not the heavy Vibram of my youth: this stuff is light!). The lacing system is excellent with a comfortable liner and a gaiter compatible tongue. Taking this one to the trails, it was very cushioned but the shoe’s midsole felt too stiff to be able to really take advantage of the ride. A runner heavier than me who likes cushioning would love this shoe. The lugged outsole was overkill for regular forest trails but would be protective and provide excellent grip in long races over extreme terrain. While my natural foot flexion felt compromised, this beefy shoe would well suit runners who love cushioning and a smooth ride on uneven trails.

— Lucy Smith

North Face Single Track $100
A light weight trail shoe that would be great for trail races and off road triathlons. This shoe just felt great on my feet while running on trail and road. Weighing only 326 grams, I can see why ultra marathoners would enjoy this shoe and its sleek look. The toe box is wide allowing for swelling of your feet, and the forefoot is extremely flexible. I loved this shoe partly because if has a nice soft heel for light heel strike. There seems to be enough room in the shoe to have orthotics with very little motion control features and a straight last. I would not hesitate to wear this shoe on the road and even in races such as the Ironman. The tread is not overly aggressive keeping the weight of the shoe low. For mountain running, this shoe does not give the runner the protection from sharp rocks and roots and it is not designed for wet running. The shoe looks great with darker colors for off-roading and the lacing system is adequate for a secure fit. A great shoe for everyday use and racing.

— Calvin Zaryski

Pearl Izumi ISO Seek 4 $180
This is a seriously thought out all-terrain trail shoe with some great features for long distance comfort. The breathable and waterproof upper keeps your feet dry and warm in wet conditions. The seamless upper is very comfortable and is a great idea for the intensity of long trail runs. The slightly elastic laces and tailored upper ensure a snug fit in a very comfortable trail shoe. But the heavy-duty midsole and lugged outsole prevented the shoe from running like a runner. Even with the Graduated Guidance System I found the shoe too stiff to create a responsive road feel. For a lighter person this 283 gram shoe would likely be too beefy and stiff in the forefoot, but for a heavier runner, who likes cushioning and a really protected foot in the trails, the ISO Seek is worth a try.

— Lucy Smith

Salomon XT Wings2 $149
A versatile shoe with great traction and protection, I found the Quicklace one-pull fit, Salomon XT Wings 2 to feel more like a stable training shoe with great traction. The midsole and sole are wider than the upper providing great stability on trails with slight pronation control. The mid-sole is soft enough to make the shoe comfortable and forgiving, but not mushy. Weighing in at 368 grams, this shoe can be used on the trail and road. With its thicker mid-sole construction, mountain running is also an option. The shoe fits great with enough room for wider forefeet and good support for narrow heels. This shoe would seem like a good choice for off road adventure races or triathlons where time savings is important but good cushioning is needed. In general, this shoe is an all-round great training and racing shoe for longer off road and road races. The tread is aggressive and great for wet roads and trails and dark colors hide the mud and dirt. This trail shoe is a good choice for your entire season.

— Calvin Zaryski

Nike Air Pegasus+ 27 Trail $90
Runners who rely on the Nike Pegasus will be happy with the new Nike Air Pegasus+ 27 Trail. Nike has rightly garnered a following with the Pegasus and this new trail version won’t disappoint. The waffled and lugged outsole was excellent at shedding mud, allowed for dependable traction and a soft landing on sharp and wet rocks. The toe bumper was too soft for aggressive terrain, however the water-resistant upper and gusseted tongue were tough enough to keep water and dirt from inside the shoe. The overlays gave a fantastic snug fit around the mid-foot without feeling restrictive. The low profile and flexibility of the shoe made for a confident and nimble ride. Overall, the Nike Air Pegasus+ 27 Trail would be a super choice for the neutral runner needing a reliable and comfortable trainer on moderately rough trails.

— Syl Corbett

Vasque Mindbender $95
What I like about the Vasque trailer I had out at the Powderface this year is what isn’t there – a big heel typical of road-runners that throws me off when trailing.  Minimized in bulk the Vasque is built close to the ground and maintains enough support and cushioning to leave forefoot strikers unscarred by sharp or jagged rock, root, or stone surfaces. The tread pattern allows for a lot of grip to rip, but not so much as to pick up and hang on to mud when the going gets mushy. A surprise pick for me, this ugly duckling shoe turned out to be cool and breathable, with a fast drying upper. It fits snug, not overly tight and the Vasque has a big enough tongue to keep rocks from sneaking into my shoe. There are no bells and whistles, but it is a testament to the Mindbender that when running, a trail this shoe is the last thing you are thinking about.

— Pete Estabrooks


IMPACT’s Trail Shoe Reviewers

• Lucy Smith is a five time Canadian cross country champion and one of Canada’s top distance runners for more than 25 years. She adds the titles mother, LifeSport coach and writer to her resume.

• Graham Cocksedge University of Victoria alum Graham Cocksedge is a national cross country and track champion who has competed for Canada at several world cross country championships, mountain running and world duathlon championships.

• Margreet Dietz is the author of four books, including Running Shoes Are a Girl’s Best Friend and Powered From Within: Stories About Running and Triathlon. The five-time Ironman finisher is training for her 13th marathon and the 50-mile STORMY trail run in her hometown of Squamish, B.C.

• Syl Corbett is an elite level trail runner who coaches runners and triathletes and works as a therapist at Embody Wellness Centre in Calgary.

• Pete Estabrooks is IMPACT Magazine’s Fitness Editor and a personal trainer and coach in Calgary.